Disposable bag for feminine hygeine products

ABSTRACT

Provided is a disposable bag for feminine hygiene products, and a dispenser for these bags.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No.61/488,087, filed on May 19, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Appl. No.61/488,104, filed on May 19, 2011.

BACKGROUND SECTION OF THE INVENTION

Feminine hygiene products are widely used. A problem with femininehygiene products (FHP) is their disposal, particularly in public places.Most women after their use of the feminine hygiene product, flush themdown. This problem is worse in public bathrooms where a trash can maynot be available for disposing the feminine hygiene product. Flushingthe FHP down the toilet can clog the pipes, and cause a back-up of thewater.

Most women flush the FHP because it is convenient and can be done in aclean fashion. There is a need in the prior art for allowing a woman todispose a used FHP in a clean and convenient fashion without flushingthe FHP.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment provided is a bag for storing a feminine hygieneproduct after use, comprising: a first and second sheet of waterimpermeable material joined together to obtain a bag that is enclosedexcept for an opening on one side of the bag; an interlocking mechanismwith a first and second semi-rigid parts, with the first part on theinside of the first sheet running substantially parallel to the openingof the bag and the second part on the inside of the second sheet andsubstantially parallel to the opening of the bag, wherein the first andsecond parts when reversably locked together enclose the opening;wherein the bag is suitable size for a feminine hygiene product and thefeminine hygiene product is not visible to a user when stored in thebag; wherein when the first and second parts are not locked together,the first and second parts can be pressed by one or more fingers of asingle hand to increased the opening of the bag to place the femininehygiene product inside the bag; and wherein the interlocking parts donot run all the way to where the two sheets are joined. The bag can bemade from two sheets that are formed by folding a single sheet ontoitself. The bag can be made from plastic. The bag can be made frompolypropylene, polyethylene, opaque polypropylene, polyester, Polylacticacid, paper based substrates and non adhesive film substrates. Theinterlocking parts may not run all the way to where the two sheets arejoined. The interlocking parts can be about 3/16 to about ¼ of an inchaway from where the two sheets are joined. The feminine hygiene productcan be a tampon or a pad. The bag can have finger shaped indentation(circular concave indentations) at the opening for allowing theinterlocking mechanism to be compressed to open the opening. The bag canhave a gusset bottom. The bag can have a height of about 3 inches toabout 7 inches. The bag can have a width of about 2 inches to about 5inches. The bag can have absorbent material inside. The bag can bescented. The bag can have a U or V shape. The has two or more bags aretearbly attached to each other in an accordion fashion. Each successivebag can be flipped compared to each prior bag.

In one embodiment provided is a bag for storing a feminine hygieneproduct after use, comprising: a first and second piece of waterimpermeable material joined together to obtain a bag that is enclosedexcept for an opening on one side of the bag; semi-rigid interlockingmechanism with first and second parts, with the first part on the insideof the first sheet running substantially parallel to the opening of thebag and the second part on the inside of the second sheet runningsubstantially parallel to the opening of the bag and, wherein the firstand second parts when reversably locked together enclose the opening;wherein the interlocking parts do not run all the way to where the twosheets are joined, wherein the bag is suitable size for a femininehygiene product; wherein when the first and second parts are not lockedtogether, the first and second parts can be pressed by one or morefingers of a single hand to open the bag to place the feminine hygieneproduct. The bag can have interlocking parts that are about 3/16 toabout ¼ of an inch away from where the two sheets are joined.

In one embodiment provided is a dispenser for dispensing any of the bagsprovided above.

In one embodiment provided is a method for disposing a feminine hygieneproduct comprising placing the feminine hygiene product in any of theabove bags and disposing the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a package of bags connected on the sides. FIG. 1A showsrectangular bags, 1B shows V shaped bags, and FIG. 1C shows U shapedbags.

FIG. 2 shows a single sheet for making a bag with a gusset bottom.

FIG. 3 shows a single sheet for making a bag.

FIG. 4A shows a bag opened with a single hand for disposing a femininehygiene product.

FIG. 4B shows the male and female interlocking mechanism of the bag.

FIG. 5 shows a dispenser for the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bag for storing and disposing afeminine hygiene product (FHP)where the bag (1) can be used convenientlyto place the FHP inside and then dispose the bag. The bag (1) can beheld and opened with a single hand (FIG. 4A). This design allows for awoman to handle the FHP with one hand and the bag with the other hand,and conveniently place the FHP in the bag.

The bag can be made from a single piece of material that is folded uponitself to obtain two sheets and then enclosed on the sides(FIGS. 1-3).Alternatively the bag can be made from two individual sheets that arejoined to each other at three sides. No matter how the bag is made, anopening, usually one side, is left for putting in the FHP (FIG. 4A).

The bag has an interlocking mechanism with a first and second semi-rigidparts (2). These parts are inside of the bag, one on each sheet, andlock together to enclose the bag. One can be a female and one a malepart (FIG. 4B). The interlocking parts are substantially parallel to theopening of the bag (FIG. 4A). The parts can be placed near the opening,such as up to about one inch from the opening.

The interlocking parts (2) are semi-rigid. By semi-rigid it is meantthat the parts deform when pressed by the fingers (FIG. 4A). If theparts are completely rigid, they would not deform. The semi-rigidnessallows for opening the bag with a single hand by pressing each side ofthe interlocking parts. By pressing on them, the sides of the bag movein, and the opening of the bag opens widely. The semi-rigidness alsoprovides a feedback to the fingers for optimal control. The bag can havefinger shaped indentation (3) at on the sides for allowing theinterlocking mechanism to be compressed to further open the opening.

The interlocking parts do not run all the way to where the two sheetsare joined. The interlocking parts can be about 3/16 to about ¼ of aninch away from where the two sheets are joined. This placing away of theinterlocking parts (2) makes it easier to keep the bag opened with onehand. If the interlocking parts (2) do not run all the way to the edge,the bag (1) may not completely be sealed. For example, if the bag (1) isfilled with water, and pressed, it may leak. Because the FHP isabsorbent and only minimal amount of freely available fluid is present,in the absence of pressure on the bag liquid would not normally leak.

The feminine hygiene product can be a tampon or a pad. The bag (1) issuitable size for a feminine hygiene product. In one embodiment, the baghas a height of about 3 inches to about 7 inches and a width of about 2inches to about 5 inches.

The FHP is preferably no visible to the user. The bag can be opaque,translucent, or only partially transparent.

The material used to make the bag (1) is water impermeable, i.e.,liquids are not absorbed by the material used to make the bag. The bag(1) can be made from plastic. Examples of materials includepolypropylene, polyethylene, opaque polypropylene, polyester, Polylacticacid, paper based substrates and non adhesive film substrates. The bag(1) can be made of biodegradable materials.

The bag can have a number of features. For example, the bag can haveadditional absorbent material inside, such as cotton wool. The bag canbe scented. Examples of scents include fresh scent, vanilla, lavender,clean scent, and baby perfume.

The bag can come in different shapes, such as wherein the bag has a U(FIG. 1C) or V shape (FIG. 1B). The U or V shape allows for guiding theFHP to the center as it is put in the bag. The bag can have a gussetbottom (FIG. 2) to increase its volume.

The bag (1) can come in a package (FIG. 1). Each bag is connected toanother bag in a way that it can be torn. Each bag can be connected toanother bag from the side, or top/bottom. The bags can be attached toeach other in an accordion fashion from the sides. When attached fromthe sides (FIG. 1), each bag can be flipped in relation to thesuccessive bag so that top of a bag is attached to the bottom of thenext bag. This flipping package is helpful in that the semi-rigid partsof the bag take the most volume when packed together.

The package can then be incorporated in a roll or a dispenser (5, 7).When the package is in the shape of an accordion, a dispenser in theshape of a tissue box(5) can be used where the FHP comes out from anopening (6), such as at top. The design of this dispenser is ideal forpublic areas, such as bathrooms. The dispenser can also be made with aflap (8), and be used in a purse. The dispensers can be made of plastic,metal, paper, or other suitable materials.

FIG. 1 illustrates a disposable package of bags. The bags (1) can berectangular, U shaped, or V shaped. The bags have a locking mechanism(2) that does not run all the way to the edge of the bag. There is afinger shaped indentation i(3) in the shape of a concave semi-circlewhere a user can press the bag with the fingers of the same hand. Eachbag is flipped in comparison to the previous bag in the package.

FIG. 2 shows a single sheet that when folded gives a bag with a gussetbottom (4). The bags (1) can be rectangular, U shaped, or V shaped. Thegusset bottom (4) increases the volume of the bag. The interlockingmechanism (2) does run all the way to the edge of the sheet. FIG. 2 alsoshows an absorbent material in the form of a cotton wool. FIG. 3 is thesame as FIG. 2 except that a gusset bottom is not present

FIG. 4 shows the bag (1) pressed by the fingers of a single hand. Theinterlocking mechanisms (2) do not run all the way to the edge of thebag. The opening is generally biased into a position where the top ofthe two sheets are next to each other, and the further open position(wide open) is forced by pressing with the fingers. Also shown is anabsorbent material like cotton wool.

FIG. 4B shows an exemplary licking mechanism. In this figure, a femaleand a male part is shown, relying on a groove mechanism.

FIG. 5A shows a dispenser (5) in the shape of a tissue box. The bags inthe form of a package are taken one by one through the opening liketissues (6). The force of the pull would tear one bag from another. FIG.5B shows is a simple layout of the same dispenser. FIG. 5C shows adispenser (7) with a flap (8).

1. A bag for storing a feminine hygiene product after use, comprising: afirst and second sheet of water impermeable material joined together toobtain a bag that is enclosed except for an opening on one side of thebag; an interlocking mechanism with a first and second semi-rigid parts,with the first part on the inside of first sheet running substantiallyparallel to the opening of the bag and the second part on the inside ofthe second sheet running substantially parallel to the opening of thebag, wherein the first and second parts when reversably locked togetherenclose the opening; wherein the bag is suitable size for a femininehygiene product and the feminine hygiene product is not visible to auser when stored in the bag; and wherein when the first and second partsare not locked together, the first and second parts can be pressed byone or more fingers of a single hand to increased the opening of the bagto place the feminine hygiene product inside the bag; wherein theinterlocking parts do not run all the way to where the two sheets arejoined.
 2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the two sheets are formed byfolding a single sheet onto itself.
 3. The bag of claim 1, wherein thebag is made from plastic.
 4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag is madefrom polypropylene, polyethylene, opaque polypropylene, polyester,Polylactic acid, paper based substrates and non adhesive filmsubstrates.
 5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the interlocking parts areabout 3/16 to about ¼ of an inch away from where the two sheets arejoined.
 6. The bag of claim 1, wherein the feminine hygiene product is atampon.
 7. The bag of claim 1, wherein the feminine hygiene product is apad.
 8. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag has finger shapedindentation for allowing the interlocking mechanism to be compressed tofurther open the opening.
 9. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag has agusset bottom.
 10. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag has a height ofabout 3 inches to about 7 inches.
 11. The bag of claim 1, wherein thebag has a width of about 2 inches to about 5 inches.
 12. The bag ofclaim 1, wherein the bag has absorbent material inside.
 13. The bag ofclaim 1, wherein the bag is scented.
 14. The bag of claim 1, wherein thebag has a U or V shape.
 15. The bag of claim 1, wherein two or more bagsare tearbly attached to each other side to side.
 16. The bag of claim16, wherein each successive bag is flipped compared to each prior bag.17. A dispenser for dispensing the bags of claim
 16. 18. A method fordisposing a feminine hygiene product comprising placing the femininehygiene product in the bag of claim 1 and disposing the bag.